Prologue

Hi guys, I hope you were all intrigued and interested by my prologue. I meant to have this up earlier but had a few small changes I need to make.

Again I hope you enjoy.

The Beginning

I laughed. Nothing and no-one was as amusing as my father. Every night at the table he would tell us stories ranging from the absurd to the ridiculous.

Tonight was no exception, only tonight, Ephraim, my beloved and his parents have joined our table, to celebrate the occasion of our betrothal. I do not know when we shall be married; probably in the winter, which is not for another few months.

"No, my dear sir." My mother speaks to Ephraim's father. "Love is not a joy all marriages can share. Just look at myself and Daniel." I smile as my mother briefly glances at my father and rests her hand above his.

"No, my dear wife," My father speaks; "How you jest me! If love is not in a marriage, children cannot be. And what life would we have if these girls and our son were not a part?" He looks to me and my sister, who is little over nine years old.

I feel Ephraim's hand glance my leg beneath the table. I glance at him; he is nervous. I can see him tremble, and small beads of sweat break along his hair line. He is lucky his hair is so dark; how it shines in the candle light.

My future mother in-law is still talking to my two nieces. How I adore them. We have not seen their mother in many months. She was consistently ill during her most recent pregnancy, resulting in a lost son. Her physician advised her to visit another, only in Pest. We are merely only awaiting notice of her death, for her condition was not good when she left us, and since her departure we have only heard news of her child's death.

Poor Nathaniel. My brother has not been faring well since his wife left, and has only remained for the benefit of his daughters and my father.

Poor papa. His ailing health has not altered his spirits, but we can all see it; he is aging. I know my mother wishes he would take it easy, but he simply refuses, not that I blame him. It was only a year ago that my grandfather passed, and since we have not had the manpower to maintain this farm to its usual levels.

Having been focusing on the delicious pork before me, I only now realize that Ephraim is standing with his parents and my own; our fathers shaking hands. I follow them as they move to leave, our fathers discussing final details for tomorrows formal celebration. Both our families are gathering.

At the door, Ephraim takes my hand and leads me a few steps away. I know he wants to bid me farewell away from the others.

"I wanted to wish you a goodnight." He tells me stopping, bringing me to face him.

I smile, feeling a faint blush creep across my features. He is so handsome. "Thank you." I respond quietly

He takes my hand, takes it to his lips and leaves a soft kiss, before moving to my cheek. "May our happiness begin as tomorrow dawns anew." He smiles, moving to his parents and their simple carriage.

I remain where he left me, my hand gently brushing the skin of my cheek his lips just touched. I can still feel the gentle scratch of his fine facial hair. I imagine such a feeling will remain for many years after my death.

My father beckons me over as we walk inside. "I find, my dear child, that you shall be very happy. Ephraim may not have the dominance of conversation like his father, or the strength of his brothers. But he is good and kind, and will provide very well for you. I wish you the greatest of happiness." He places a kiss on my forehead, and I recognize his dismissal. I am to go to bed, and I smile in response, bid him goodnight and leave.

As I dress for bed, I find my thoughts wondering. I am to be married, I have just overheard, shortly before my sixteenth birthday. A smile comes to my lips as I imagine myself at the age of twenty with at least one small child, greeting my husband with a goblet of wine one evening, him leaving a kiss on my cheek, and the feeling of a gentle scratch.

I pull the blankets up close to my chin, for the small fire has gone out. The smile remains on my face as I fall asleep.

My dream of a wedding, me against a background of a freezing blizzard, whilst inside a room full of warmth and life, is interrupted by a distant scream. At first I thought it was one of my nieces having a nightmare, but then I realize it is my mother, screaming for my father.

Leaping from my bed, I barely caught my nightgown as I raced from the room, and into the hallway, but before I could get any further I noticed a dark stain on the carpet. Getting down close I realize it is blood; I feel my stomach lurch.

Hurrying down the hallway I come to my niece's room, but the two little girls I adore so much, I hardly recognize. Seeing their butchered forms, I cannot control my body, as it violently reacts. Still coughing, I wipe the corners of my mouth, and move to leave the doorway.

Outside I trip, and upon standing up I realize it is my mother's body; her face is contorted; a hole in her neck is what has caused the stain on the carpet. I look on too my sister and brother's rooms, but fear what may be awaiting me there.

Desperate to escape, I turn and run from the house. I can hear our horses in the stable; I've never heard them scream so much. If I can calm one, I can ride into town and inform the police of this savage killer.

Sprinting through the cold night air, I find the stable doors flapping open; the horses are still distressed, and there is a figure lying in the middle of the floor. I refuse to believe it.

"Father?" I can feel the tears welling; the shock is only just hitting me; my family is all gone; all slaughtered by someone unknown.

As I reach my father's body I collapse against him, sobbing and begging God to wake me up from this horrific nightmare I am surely experiencing. I am still crying when something touches my shoulder.

I freeze; it can only be one person, he who is to kill me. No sound comes from behind me. "I am not here to hurt you." A man whispers. "You are safe. I have fought off those who did this. They are gone."

I look up. I cannot believe my eyes. It is an elderly man of sickly frame and pale skin. Despite his heavy garments I can tell a frail body lies within his skin.

"Come my child. Here you will find no hope of avenging your family. I shall show you how."

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